ICJ ruling just before poll could hurt the Democrats

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee,
Piyanart Srivalo
The Nation
Published on June 1, 2011

If the world court agrees to Cambodia’s request to get Thai troops out of area near Preah Vihear temple, party may suffer a voter backlash

If the International Court of Justice (ICJ) takes provisional measures as requested by Cambodia and get Thai troops to withdraw from the vicinity of Preah Vihear Temple in the next three or four weeks, it will make the ruling Democrat Party appear to have failed to protect the country’s interests.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya expects the court to deliver a ruling on the provisional measures by the end of this month, perhaps just a few days before the July 3 election, which would be long enough to influence voters’ decisions.